The Turtle and the Bird

Chapter 8

The next day, Turtle and Bluebell drove to the gymnastics studio. Barbie and Teresa were there, along with a Dalmatian puppy and the white cat, who was wearing a shiny pink headband that's color matched Teresa's. Teresa was wearing a white gymnastics suit and Barbie was wearing a hot pink, aqua, and white gymnastic suit. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail.

Barbie bounced on the trampoline, flipped in midair, and landed on a mat in front of them. "Hey," she said.

Turtle and Bluebell clapped. Barbie smiled.

Teresa walked to the end of the balance beam and jumped down. "You guys wanna try some of this stuff?"

Bluebell flew up and perched on the first place stand. "It feels good to be up here."

Everyone laughed.

Teresa pulled Bluebell over to the twirling stand. The two began chattering excitedly.

"Bluebell's been very talkative lately," Barbie noted.

"She had a good day yesterday," Turtle replied dryly.

Barbie looked at him. "Did I hear a note of jealousy?"

Turtle turned away. "Pine said the same thing yesterday."

She smiled. "Is it true?"

He blushed. "She's my friend, okay? I'm just looking out for her."

"Sure..." Barbie said slyly, winking at him.

Bluebell and Teresa came back down to the main level. "Come on, Turtle." Bluebell was fluttering excitedly. "We have to go meet William."

Turtle hid his expression under a fake smile and nodded. They said goodbye, got into the car, and drove back to the café. William was waiting for them at one of the tables.

"Bonjour, mademoiselle," he said, smiling. "A pleasure to see you again."

Bluebell giggled while Turtle muttered under his breath.

"I apologize," William said after they'd all sat down. "I didn't get your names yesterday."

"I'm Bluebell," Bluebell said, leaning toward him.

"Ah," he said, smiling at her. "Your name has 'belle' in it, which is what you are." He looked up at Turtle. "And you?"

Turtle looked straight at him. "I'm Turtle."

"Enchanté," William replied.

Bluebell nudged his arm. "Have you ever been to the Squinkie Aquarium?"

William nodded. "It's so beautiful, with the breathtaking colors on the walls and the exquisite wildlife. They're so graceful as they float around in the cool blue water..."

Turtle felt his head slowly dropping from boredom.

"We should probably leave now," he said after about five minutes of that. "Pine is probably waiting for us.

Bluebell gave him a puzzled look. "I thought he said he would be out with Isabella."

"Well, I want to catch him before he leaves," Turtle said, standing.

Bluebell shook her head and said goodbye to William. She joined Turtle in the car.

"What was that all about?" she asked as they drove down the street.

Turtle looked at her. "What do you mean?"

Bluebell pursed her beak. "You seemed very eager to leave."

"I told you, I wanted to catch Pine before he left."

"Turtle, be honest. Why did you want to leave?"

Turtle sighed. "I don't know. I just get a...weird feeling around him."

"William? Why?"

"I don't know. I just do."

Bluebell rolled her eyes and sat back in her seat. After the car pulled into the garage, she turned to him. "Turtle, I'm going back to see him tomorrow. And I don't want you to come with me this time." She stepped out of the car and ran into the house.

Turtle stayed in the car. After a while, he got out and dragged himself into the backyard. Glimpsing Pine and Isabella high up in one of the trees, he settled at the base and watched them. They were both sitting up, Pine's wing draped over her shoulders. It looked like he was pointing out clouds, and they were talking and laughing. Isabella's fur gleamed gold in the sunlight, and it reminded Turtle of Bluebell's aqua feathers against the indigo sky on the day they left. He rested his head in his feet.

As they were getting down from the tree, Pine noticed Turtle. "Hang on, Bella," he told her. "I'll be right back."

He walked over to Turtle. "You okay?"

Turtle shrugged. "Bluebell's mad at me."

Pine sat down. "Why?"

"I made her leave early. I can't stand that guy."

"If you like her, maybe you should let her do what she wants. Just chill for a while. Relax. Let her do her own thing."

"I can't believe I'm taking advice from her brother," Turtle grumbled.

Pine leaned back. "No one knows her better."

That night, Turtle was going to apologize to Bluebell, but she went off with the other girls as soon as he approached her. He had trouble sleeping that night.